The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-04-14
Rebuking the Bosses.

The result Of the State election In Rhode
Island last week was not unlocked for by
observing Republicans. The election OF a
Democratic Governor in so staunch Re-
publican State, was unlocked for by the
general public. But were causes OPP
Grating, similar to those which transferred
Pennsylvania to the Democratic column
in 1882, and gave Cleveland majority for
Governor in New York Of 1872, 900. Mr..
Davis, Democrat, was elected Governor
of Rhode Island, by plurality OF US
While the Republican nominee is gentle
man of unquestioned purity of character
and had served the State faithfully in the
capacity of Governor, there was Ring,
which assumed to dictate to the party
and was disposed to tolerate no interfer-
ence with its cut and dried plans. The
people had gotten tired of this and deter
mined that the most effective rebuke they
could administer would be to defeat the
candidate it had put up, although he is
otherwise good man. 1t was revolt
glihst ring rule-ayer fashionable and
praiseworthy revolt, and one the Republi-
cans in some other States need as much as
Rhode Island. In fact the days OF the
Ring are numbered. The people are not
disposed to tamely submit to the arbitrary
and disresrectful methods too frequently
resorted to by assumed managers to carry
out their selfish purposes, and establish an
autocratic power in defiance of the pop
ular wish. 1t is healthy discipline,
sometimes. to enter significant, even if
disastrous, protest against one man power
and assert the sovereign right Of the peo.
pie to control their own affairs. When
the machine" becomes the agency Of per
, sonal despotism, it ought to be broken.-
When party caucusses and conventions
are used merely to record the wishes and
prom ote the schemes of a few selfish pol
iticians, it is time to rebuke them by &
revolt at the ballot box. The primary OBJ
ject of parties should be the public good
and this cannot be copsummated when II
is made subordinate to the plots and plans
of designing men, striving for ends incoa
sistent with a broad understanding of thu
public welfare. Nothing has more salu
tary effect upon parties and party mana
gera than process of publication through
!, an ordeal OF adversely, effected by the in
. dignant protest of the people. 1t Is thu
made known that government was not in
= stituted for the especial benefit and graft
lication of ambitious politicians, but wa
intended to reflect the popular will ant
. advance public interests. The Hepuhli
cans of Rhode Island have bravely takel
the bit in their mouths and run counter t
) the order of the bosses. The lesson vii
u not be lost upon the managers, nor will th
e experience fail to strengthen the part
j for the contest of 1888. Rhode Island
e still safely Republican 10 clean comics
for clean candidates and clean politics.
e A similar reyulsion to that recorded O
It Rhode Island. occurred in Minneapolis :
l. The Republicans have controlled the cit
e government ever since it's organization
& The pernicious boss system has been tn
result of a long lease of power, and to re
d buke it the people have transferred tn
d control of the city administration TO tn
b Democrats. 1t is severe penalty. but
% will have the effect to awaken the mana
Iy gers to recognition of the fact that tn
lie people are the power in the cities, as we
as the States and country.
T. The Coming Revoiu ion.